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The ‘settling phase’ in your new country can potentially last up to a number of months. Even after you are comfortable and settled in, there might still be a few things that remind you from time to time that you are an expat and not (yet) a local in your new country of choice.

In this episode we discuss a few aspects that all of us might have experienced as tricky during the settling in phase of our expat journey. But we also touch on a few hacks that might help to assist future expats to settle in a tad easier.

Tricky aspects to consider while settling in to life in your new country:

• Language
• Work and work environment)
• Cost of living
• Working expenses back to Rand(-ellas)
• Public transport (PT)
• Driving (same or opposite side of the road)
• Financial systems
• Medical system
• School system and finding a good school for your kids
• Personal finance: (Investments, savings, long-term insurance, Testaments etc.)
• Food
• Culture
• Politics

Potential hacks to overcome some of these hurdles:

Discussed in the podcast episode:

• Work and work environment:
  · Get involved and talk to your new colleagues
  · Join the social events that you company organizes
  · Talk to as many people (especially at the coffee corner, photocopier machine etc.)
  · Discussions with colleagues can help you understand the language, culture and politics of the country.
  
• Cost of Living & Working expenses back to Rand:
  · The cost of living in most 1st world countries are generally more expensive than what most Saffas are used to back home. You might earn more, but accommodation, transport, food etc are also more expensive. Therefor:
  · Although it is not recommended, it is human and normal to work this back to Rand(-ellas) in the first few months, or potentially years. So don’t worry its’ normal and it will get a little better over time.
  
• Financial system and personal finance:
  · Personal finance and the financial system and culture is different than back  in South Africa.
  · Potentially more regulated and with stricter laws.
  · And generally in Europe and especially the USA, people feel more comfortable to invest their own money instead of going through the standard financial advisor route that we are used to in South Africa.
  · If you don’t have the time or don’t generally enjoy reading up on financial laws and minor details and systems it could be more than worth it to get in contact with a professional financial advisor in your new country.
  

SAFFA INDEX: Mrs H.S. Balls Chutney 470gr
(or “Mister”Balls Chutney as Eduan referred to it in the episode :-))

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Shout outs Music and sound editing:
Etienne Swanepoel (from “africa_withet”).
Follow him on Instagram @africa_withet